Lima VS Montevideo

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Lima
Peru
25.8
COLI Index
#93
Global Rank
PEN
Currency
Montevideo
Uruguay
32.5
COLI Index
#77
Global Rank
UYU
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
25.8
32.5
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$450
$500
Total Deductions
19.2%
25.4%
Exchange Rate
1 PEN = 11.3415 UYU

Key Takeaways: Lima vs Montevideo

Overall, Lima is approximately 21% cheaper than Montevideo based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 (ranked #93 of 113 cities), while Montevideo has a COLI of 32.5 (ranked #77).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Lima averages $450/month compared to $500/month in Montevideo. That makes Lima approximately 10% cheaper for rent alone.

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Montevideo (25.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Lima

Income Tax
6%
ONP/AFP + EsSalud
13.0%
Total: 19.2%Take-Home: S/57,911/yr

Montevideo

Income Tax
7%
BPS Contributions
18.1%
Total: 25.4%Take-Home: $U 763,888/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately $U 3,969,731 in Montevideo to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 21% more due to higher cost of living.

Lifestyle Equivalent by Job Title

COLI-scaled lifestyle equivalents of New York mid-range salaries — not local market pay. For verified/OECD local-market figures see salary pages.

Job Title Lima (PEN) Montevideo (UYU)
Doctor (General) S/172,052 $U 2,458,057
Software Engineer S/81,247 $U 1,160,749
Product Manager S/95,584 $U 1,365,587
Lawyer S/95,584 $U 1,365,587
Data Scientist S/90,805 $U 1,297,308
Marketing Manager S/68,821 $U 983,223
Teacher S/45,880 $U 655,482
Nurse S/55,439 $U 792,041

These are COLI lifestyle equivalents of the New York mid baseline, not typical local market pay. See methodology and profession×city salary pages for market figures with source badges.

Neighborhoods

Lima (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
San Isidro1.30x (+30%)
Miraflores1.28x (+28%)
Barranco1.15x (+15%)
Surco1.08x (+8%)
La Molina1.05x (+5%)

Montevideo (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Carrasco1.30x (+30%)
Punta Carretas1.25x (+25%)
Pocitos1.22x (+22%)
Punta Gorda1.12x (+12%)
Ciudad Vieja1.08x (+8%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lima or Montevideo more expensive?

Montevideo is more expensive overall. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 while Montevideo has a COLI of 32.5, making Lima approximately 21% cheaper.

What salary in Montevideo equals S/277,861 in Lima?

To maintain the same standard of living as S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately $U 3,969,731 in Montevideo.

Is rent cheaper in Lima or Montevideo?

Average one-bedroom rent in Lima is $450/month compared to $500/month in Montevideo. Lima has lower rent by approximately 10%.

Which city has lower taxes, Lima or Montevideo?

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Montevideo (25.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-08-31. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.